Engine-starter.



N. PEDERSEN.

ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION 111.111) SEPT. 21;, 1911.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N. PBDERSBN.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 28, 1911.

1,120,236. I Patented Dec.'8, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SIIBET 2.

$5 5Q 74 gr J2 1 1 43 I V v I f il 1i i 50 8 J; E qmm a v a ll Ill 3M )ZMMA l@ N. PEDERSEN.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED $221. 28, 1911.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 BHBBTS*BHEBT 3.

ZAW W UNITED STATES PATENT onnircn.

NIELS PEDERSEN, F GENOA, ILLINOIS.

ENGINESTABTER.

Application filed September 28. 1911.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known ti rat I NIELS Innnusnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at (ienoa, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Engine-Starters, of which the following is a full; clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to engine starters or similar devices and has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character.

In accordance with my invention, I provide means which may suitably engage a shaft or other elements which it is desired to rotate, and which means may be suitably operated by hand to occasion the required rotation.

Additional features of my invention contemplate automatic arrangements whereby my device may be associated with a shaft which it is desired to rotate, and in which a release of these means may also be automatically at'l'ected.

My invention further contemplates means to prevent injury to the operator should the shaft which it is desired to be rotated be violently rotated in the opposite direction.

My invention further contemplates various structural features and also the provision of a dustproof mechanism.

My invention also broadly concerns itself with the provision of means which may be asso iated in any angular position desired to effect the desired result.

Another feature of my invention contemplates controlling means for operating the device, which controlling means may be in the form of a le er. and which lever actuates the device to cause the desired rotation when moving in one direction only. Suitable power storing devices are associated with this lever so that power may be stored while the lever is being set in position. which power may he returned when the lever is moved in its operating direction of motion. This feature of my invention which I (021' sider of importance is the provision of a device which may be used for the starting of an explosive engine through the agency of a suitable operating handle and which at the same time has means whereby the device may be actuated with the customary forms of starting handles.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Serial No. 651,772.

These and other objects will be apparent from the construction which I will now describe 1n connection with the accompanving drawings, and which sets forth one embodiment of my invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention: Fig. 2 1s a top view of a portion of the mechanism, the cover plate having been removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the center of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Flgs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the ratchet controlling mechanism; Fig. 6 is a detail view of means to adapt the device for use with different sized operating mechanism; Fig. 7 shows means for mounting the de vlce; Fig. 8 is a side view of means for operating the device; F 9 is a top view thereof, and Fig. 10 is an alternative view of the mechanism shown in Fig. l.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I show a casing 1 having ears 2, 2 for mounting purposes. The casing has a cover 3 secured thereto by means of the screws l. The shaft 5 is shown which is the shaft that it is desired to rotate and for instance may be the shaft of some suitable explosive engine whose rotation is desired in order to start said engine. The shaft has projecting teeth 6 which are adapted to e engaged by projecting teeth 7 of a shaft extension 8 forn'iing part of the shaft 9. This shaft 9 is held in bearings 10, 10 of the casing 1. At the right hand side of Fig. 3, the shaft 9 is shown as extending through the casing and is provided with a pin 11 so that this shaft may be rotated by the ordinary form of starting handle used with explosive engines of the ordinary type. housing 12 is provided for the shaft extension which is shown more clearly in Fig. (i, and this housing has three adjustable centering devices 13, which may be adjusted so that any suitable handle, even though too large for the shaft 9, may be used to rotate the shaft 9 provided the handle has means to engage the pin 11. The shaft 9 may thus be rotated in the ordL nary manner to rotate the shaft My improved device for rotating this shaft which will now be explained is utilized. The shaft 9 is provided with a flattened portion 14 at a portion of reduced diameter and on this portion of reduced diameter a suitable gear 15 is mounted. This bevel gear may slide longitudinally of the shaft 9 at its portion of reduced diameter, but on account of the flattened portion 14 rotates with said shaft. A spring 16 mounted between a pin 17 on the shaft 9 and the beveled gear normally maintains this beveled gear in its furthermost position toward the left (Fig. 3), even though the shaft 9 maybe moved toward the right as is done under some conditions to be presently explained. The sleeve 18 loosely mounted on the shaft 9 is held in its position toward the left (Fig. 3) by a spring 19. By virtue of the spring 19 the shaft 9 is held'in its furthermost position toward the left (Fig. 3). A bell crank lever 20 is pivotally mounted on an ear 21 within the casing 1, one arm 22 of which is adapted to control the sleeve 18. The other arm 23 is controlled by'a plunger 24 projecting through the casing 1 and carrying a roll 25 at its extremity. 'Under certain conditions of operating, the plunger 24 is moved inwardly thereby rotating the bell crank lever 20 and pushing the arm 22 against the sleeve 18 in such a manner asto carry the sleeve 18 to the right (Fig. 3) against the action of the spring 19 until a third arm 26 of the lever is engaged and held by a catch 27 controlled by a spring 28. Under these circumstances the spring 16 presses against the pin 17 and moves the shaft 9 likewise to the right in which position it is adapted to be disengaged from the shaft When the catch 27 is operated to release the arm 26, then the spring 19 forces the sleeve 18 and shaft 9 to the left (Fig. 3) in which position the shaft extension 8 again engages the shaft 5. Now in order to rotate the shaft 9 by the agency of my improved device, I provide a second beveled gear 29 fixedly secured to a shaft 30, which shaft likewise carries a toothed or ratchet wheel 31. In order to rotate the ratchet wheel 31 I provide a handle 32 pivotally mounted to a rotatable plate 33 which ls loosely mounted about the shaft 30. The handle 32 is adjustable as shown in Fig. 3 so that means attached to this handle to operate the device can be attached to any plane desired. This may be of considerable advantage in such cases where limited space is required within which the device must be installed and so as to provide suitable connecting mechanism leading to the device of an adjustable nature.

A rotatable plate 33 carries a pawl 34 which is pressed outwardly by means of a spring 35 so that when the plate 33 is rotated in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, it carries with it the ratchet wheel 31, thereby rotating the beveled gear 29, thus to rotate the beveled gear 15 and consequently theshaft 9 and the shaft 5 with which it is associated. The rotatable plate 33 carries a wedge shaped member 36 adjustable longitudinallyof an extension 37 of said member 33 Within mamas a slot 38. The element 36 is designed to engage the roll 25 when brought into engagement therewith to operatethe devices associated with the plunger 24 in such a Way as to release the shaft extension from the shaft 5, the rotatable plate 33 being at such times at the limit of its movement in one direction. When the rotatable plate 33 therefore has been rotated over to disengage shaft elements 5 and 8, the mechanism is in its normal position. Now should it be desired to rotate the shaft 5 then the plate 33 by means of the handle 32 is rotated contraclockwise and in thus being rotated a spring pressed plunger 39 pressed outwardly by a s ring 40 engages the pin 41 of the catch 27 thus to release the catch and permit the spring 19 to throw the shaft extension 8 into engagement with the shaft 5. The rotatable plate 33 is then moved contra-clock wise (Fig. 1) as far as desired, whereafter it is moved clockwise to rotate the shaft 9 to start the engine connected with the shaft 5. The plunger 39 after releasing the catch 27 may slide past the pin 41 on account of the resilient mounting of this plunger through the agency of a spring 40. A dustproof cover 42 is provided which slides under a circular angle plate 43 and this cover plate 42 is movable with the rotatable plate 33, an escutcheon plate 44 being provided to close the aperture where this plate projects through the said casing 42. The interior mechanism is thus dust-proof. A sprin 45 is fastened at 46 in the casing 1 and at 4 in the cover 42, which spring tends to rotate the plate 33 in a contra clockwise direction, toward its starting position. A pin 48 cooperates with the proiection 49 of the cover 42 as will be well understood. The stud 49 is fastened into the cover of the device. This stud engages the pin 48 and this pin fastens into the element 52, thereby transmitting the power for the coiled spring instead of the cover and by this movement swinging the handle to stand in line with the shaft of the engine. It will thus be seen that bv the operation of the handle 32 the shaft 9 may be rotated and automatically brought into and out of engage- 1 ment with the shaft 5. Now if the device is used in connection with an explosive engine, it may be that this explosive engine through some irregularity is caused to back fire, in which case the shaft 5 would violentlv rotate in the opposite direction to that in which it is desired to rotate said shaft by my improved device. Means are therefore provided to disengage the handle from mechanical association with the ratchet wheel 31 when such firing takes place, and the means which accomplish this result will be now described.

ll provide a circular rack 50 upon the cover plate 3 of the casing. I also provide a rotatable sleeve 51 about the central hub of the plate 33. The sleeve 51 is loosely mounted on the hub 52, but these two plates 51 and 33 are drawn together against a downwardly projectin stop 53 of the plate 33 by means of a spring 51 associated with pins and 56 fastened to the plate and 51 respectively. The sleeve 51 carries a pawl 57 having a tooth 58adapted to engage the rack 50. A triangular cam surface 59 is provided on this pawl and cotiperates with a spring pressed plunger 60. The spring pressed plunger serves by co3peration with the cam 59 to maintain the pawl 57 either in its lowermost position when it engages the rack or in extreme alternative position when the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of said rack. The opposite extremity of said pawl carries a tripping element (51 controlled by a spring 62. The pawl 3L has a pin 63 which engages a cam surface 64 provided in the ring 51, as shown in Fig. 5.

lVhcnever there is relative motion between the sleeve 51 and the plate 33, then the pin (53 rides over the cam surface and thereby brings the pawl 34: out of engagei'nent with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 31. Now if we will assume that the plate 33 has been moved in a clockwise direction until the element 36 upon engagement with the roller 25 has disengaged elements 5 and 8. At this time the projecting finger 65 of the pawl 57 has ridden over a cam surface 66, thereby relcasing the pawl from the teeth of the rack 50 and throwing the tripping device 61 into engagement with these teeth. On the return movement the tripping device rides over these tooth. Now when the plate 33 has reached the limit of its contra-cloclnvise movement and it is started in its clockwise motion to rotate the shaft 9, then the trip ping device engages the tooth of the rack around which it has last ridden and is held against said tooth, thereby raising the left hand cxtrcniity of the pawl 57 and throwing its totth 58 into engagement with the toctl'i of the rack. the spring pressed plunger (31) coiiperating with this movement. Now while the plate 33 is moving in its clockwise direction. if the shaft 5 suddenly rotates in a direction reverse to that in which shaft 9 is rotating, this reverse rotation reverses the rotation of the ratchet wheel 31. thereby bringing the sleeve 51 practically'to a stop as pawl. 57 engages the teeth of the rack and tboroby permitting relative motion betweenthe sleeve 51 and sleeve 33, which thereby causes the pawl 34 to leave the teeth of the ratchet wheel 31. \Vhile the revcrserotaticn may therefore carry the plate 33, and handle with it. such reverse rotation is limited to the short distance between the teeth of the rack. at which time the pawl 21lis automatically disengaged and further reverse rotation of the ratchctwhecl 31 has no tendency to rotate the plate 33. It will be understood from this that a reverse rotation of the wheel 31 on account of the pawl 58 serves to immediately retard the movement of the sleeve 51 as soon as the pawl 58 has engaged one of the teeth of the rack 50. The wheel 31 and plate 33 would continue to move in' a reverse direction a slight distance and this relative movement between the sleeve 51 and the plate 33 causes the dis-. engagement of the pawl 34 from the teeth of the element 31 through the agency of the pin 63 and the cam surface 64. It will thus be seen that a safety element is provided guarding against a recoil of the shaft My device can be suitably mounted in a position to ooiiperate with any position occupied by the shaft 5 through the agency of the adjustable arms 78, 78. Now when the arm 32 is moved in a clockwise direction the pawl 58 rides over the teeth of the rack 50, the pawl 3-1 being in engagement with the teeth of the element 31 rotates this element to thereby rotate the shaft 14:. When this rotation in a clockwise direction has been completed, the projection (35 engages the cam 66 and the pawl 58 is disengaged from the teeth of the rack 50 and the tripping device 61 associated with the teeth in its stead. During the reverse rotation the finger 61 engages the teeth until the plate 33 is again moved in a clockwise direction when the pawl 58 is again brought into engagement with the teeth of the rack 50. Should the engine continue after the first actuation to start in operation, then the element 31 rotates -fatter than the plate 33 and on account of the spring 35 the pawl 34 is pushed against the action of this spring by the ratchet 31, thus causing no damage to the apparatus.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I show the handle 32 of my device suitably provided with a chain 67, which chain is adapted to travel around a pulley 68. I have herein shown my device as connected with an automobile 69, the device being at the front end of the machine herein. The chain 67 is secured to a rod 70, which rod carries aplate '71, between which plate 71 and a fixedly mounted casing 72, a spring 73 is mounted. A lever 71 controllcd from the seat of the vehicle is adapted to move the rod 70 as desired. Now when the lever 71 is moved in a clockwise direction. it tcnds to rotate the arm 32 so as to start the engine. It requires considerable power to start the engine and so as to reduce this power by half, I have provided the spring 73. This spring 73 is compressed during the contra-clockwiso motion of the lcver 74 and that is during that portion of its motion when no power needs to be exerted on the handle 32 and then while the handle 7-1 is moved in the clockwise direction of rotation to start the engine, the energy expended by the operator is augmented by the energy delivered by the spring 73 so as to reduce by one-half if desired the power required to operate the device.

l have provideda further safety device which may be of service under certain conditions of operation, namely, if the pawls 57 and 61 should for any reason whatsoever fail to operate. Supposing the handle 32 had been rotated very nearly intoa position in which the elements 36 and 25 engage, then if for some reason or other the engine should back fire and the pawls aforesaid not operate, it is well to have certain auxiliary means to disengage the pawl 34; from the wheel 31, and these auxiliary means constitnte a cam surface 7 5 mounted on a sleeve 76 which is held in position on the cover 3 by means of the set screw 77. Now the back firing of the engine will rapidly rotate the mechanism connected with the handle 32 until the pin 63 engages this cam surface 75, whereupon the pawl 34 would be withdrawn from the teeth of the wheel 31 to thereby eliminate any further rotation. The cam 75 is adjustable so as to permit of this action at any angular position of the handle desired.

While l[ have herein shown and described one form of my inventioml-do not mean to limit myself to such specific description and illustration, but

Having thus described one form of carrying out my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described having engaging mechanism including a ratchet adapted for power transmitting connection with a rotatable element, the combination with the rotatable element aforesaid, of manually operated means including a pawl for rotating said engaging mechanism,

means controlled by said manually operated means to automatically engage and disengage said engaging mechanism and said rotatable element, and means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said mechanism, said last aforesaid means including a cam for disengaging said pawl from said ratchet.

2. In a device of the character described having engaging mechanism including a ratchet adapted for power transmitting connection with a rotatable element, the combination with the rotatable element aforesaid, of manually operated rotatable means including a pawl for'rotating said mechanism, means controlled by said manually operated means to automatically engage and disengage said engaging mechanism and said rotatable element, and means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said engaging mechanism, said last aforesaid means including a .3. A device of the character described having means including a ratchet adapted for power transmitting connection with a rotatable element, manually operated rotatable means including a pawl for rotating said power transmitting means, and means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means, said last aforesaid means including a cam for disengaging said pawl from said ratchet, a rotatable element rotatable concentrically with said manually operated means for carrying said cam, a stationary circular rack, and a pawl carried by said last aforesaid rotatable element adapted to periodically engage said rack to control said first pawl.

l lu a device of the character described having engaging mechanism including a ratchet adapted for power transmitting connection with a rotatable element, the combination with the rotatable element aforesaid, of manually operated rotatable means including a pawl for rotating said mechanism, means controlled by said manually operated means to automatically engage and disengage said engaging mechanism and said rotatable element, and means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means, said last aforesaid means including a device for disengaging said pawl from said ratchet.

5. A device of the character described having means adapted to be automatically connected for power transmitting purposes with a rotatable element, manually operated means for rotating said power transmitting means, uni-directional clutch mechanism interposed between said two means, and disconnecting means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said power transmitting means, said disconnecting means including a stationary rack, a pawl therefor, and means for controlling the connection of said pawl with said rack.

6. A device of the character described having means adapted for power transmitting connection with a rotatable element, manually operated means for rotating said power transmitting means, uni-directional clutch mechanism interposed between said two means, and disconnecting means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said power transmitting means, said disconnecting means including a stationary crack, a pawl therefor, a tripping device for controlling the connection of said pawl with said rack, and a cam for automatically releasing said pawl from said rack.

7. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said means including a spring and a shoulder on said shaft.

8. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotat-able element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element. means controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing and maintaining disengagement of said shaft from said rotatable element, said means including a spring, a shoulder on said shaft, and a spring controlled clutch.

9. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for automatically maintaining said engagement when established, said means including a sleeve on said shaft, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, and means controlled by said manuallv operated means to control, the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

10. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for automatically maintaining said engagement hen established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means controlled by said manually operated means to control the con nection of said shaft with said rotatable element. and spring actuated means for causing the disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element interposed between said shaft and clement, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

11. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said means including a spring and a shoulder on said shaft, said manually operated means including an arm. and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

12. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when establis'hed, manually operated means for rotating said shaft. means controlled by said manually operated means to release the connection between said shaft and element, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element. and spring actuated means for causing and maintaining disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said means including a spring, a shoulder on said shaft. and a spring controlled clutch, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

13, In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for mapitaining'said engagement when established, said means including a sleeve onsaid sha 't, manually operated means for rotating sai shaft, means for preventing a substantia reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, and means including a bell crank lever and a plunger controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed be tween said arm and said shaft.

14. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means 'for maintaining said engagement when established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means including a bell crank lever and a plunger controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said manuallyoperated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

15. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for engaging said rotatable element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when estabmenses lished, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means for preventing a substantial reverse rotation of said manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means including a bell crank lever and a plunger controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with said rotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said last aforesaid spring actuated means including a spring and a shoulder on said shaft, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

16. In a device of the character described adapted for association with a rotatable element, the combination with said rotatable element, of a shaft for cngagingsaid rotatable element, spring actuated means for maintaining said engagement when established, manually operated means for rotating said shaft, means for preventing a substantial reverse operation ofsaid manually operated means upon reverse operation of said rotatable element, means including a bell crank lever and a plunger controlled by said manually operated means to control the connection of said shaft with saidrotatable element, and spring actuated means for causing disengagement of said shaft with said rotatable element, said last aforesaid spring actuated means including a spring, a shoulder on said shaft, and a springcontrolled clutch, said manually operated means including an arm, and gears interposed between said arm and said shaft.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 13th day of September, A. 1)., I911.

' NIELS PEDERSEN.

Witnesses:

Idlax N. ZABEL, 1F. Gr. I-Iunson. 

